Monday, October 26, 2009

baby weight

A month or so ago I read a friend's blog where she had added up the total of all of her children's birth weights. This thought has stayed in the back of my mind and resurfaces occasionally. I have been thinking a lot about my children, their pregnancies, their births, and their lives thus far lately. When I add my six baby jewels up the grand total is 52 pounds 8 ounces. (I guess I am glad that they came one at a time instead of all six at once!) I have been working so hard on getting back into shape this last year after nine straight years of pregnancy and/or nursing. My baby is now almost 16 months old. . . .the longest that I haven't been pregnant since I started on my motherhood journey. These blessings came with a price. I often catch a glimpse of my naked self in the mirror and shudder at the loose, hanging, scarred, foreign flesh hanging from my stomach and the half deflated balloons that hang in place of my breasts. (Sorry for being so graphic. I'm just being honest.) I recently hit my goal of getting back to my wedding weight, but found the accomplishment a hollow victory. The weight on the scale matches, but my body is not the same! On the scale, I register as pounds and ounces; my body shows the story of 35 years of life. I wouldn't trade a single child to have the most beautiful body in the world though. So today I will embrace "my signs" that tell my story instead of mourn for my youthful body.

4 comments:

Mandy said...

Beautiful post, Rachelle!
I think most mothers know how you feel. Every once in a while I come across some freak of nature without a stretch mark or one inch of extra skin - but for the most part, our bodies are destroyed by our babies. Luckily, our hearts are more beautiful after than they were before. If that's the trade off, I think hanging skin and deflated breasts are worth it. I know you do, to. Again, great post :)

Danielle said...

You crack me up! I have on more than one occasion thanked my children as I look depressingly at my flab and sags! The joke in our house is the "pencil test" how I could hold a dozen pencils under my not so perky boobs! So honest and so true, but SO worth it!

ABBOTTLAND said...

I hear ya sister :) You are awesome to be back at your wedding weight though, some people never make it back there again. You are an inspiration to your kids and family and friends. My belly & boobs are the two things that no matter what I do will never be a glimpse of their former selves. It's sad sometimes, but I think it's a fair trade when you look at the 6 amazing kids you have. I try to see my stretch marks as medals of honor :)
~Mandy

Lynette said...

Yep, Yep. Good thing we will be restored to OUR perfect selves when we are ressurected huh? I love what Mandy said about how our bodies may not be more beautiful, but our hearts are. You look amazing and are beautiful no matter what sags and bags you have!